Indian Musical Instruments
There are many different styles of music in India and regional preferences. A wide variety of Indian musical instruments give different sounds to classical, popular and folk music. Some of these instruments are very old. Western instruments are used too sometimes. Violins can be heard in some classical recordings and the harmonium is used in some popular music. Three basic types of home grown instrument is used; strings (plucked, bowed or struck), wind and percussion.
The Sitar is the most familiar instrument in the West. This is because The Beatles and other rock bands used it during the 1960s and 1970s. George Harrison studied under the prominent player, Ravi Shankar. It is one of the most difficult to learn of the Indian musical instruments and constant practice is required. There are sympathetic strings to complement the normal strings. In India, it is played in Hindustani classical music. This is a traditional form, which evolved in the North. The Sarod is another classical string instrument. It has twenty five strings, is similar to a lute and is played with a plectrum.
Percussion is very important to Indian composers. The Tabla is very popular; again one of the Indian musical instruments to be familiar to Beatles devotees, and is played in Indian classical, religious and popular music. Tabla is a pair of hand drums that vary in size and tone. Another form of percussion called the Dhol is played mainly in the Punjab and Gujarat districts. It is a double sided barrel drum and is used in religious music and to set the rhythm for dance music.
Flutes are used a lot and with several different versions. The Bansuri is an alto flute that is used in Pakistan as well as India. It is made from a single length of bamboo and has six or seven open finger holes. It's mostly played in Hindustani classical music.
Folk music is an ancient form with many styles. There are some Indian musical instruments, with a very distinctive sound, that have no real equivalent in the Western world. The Sarinda is a three stringed folk instrument that is played with a bow.
There is a rich cultural heritage in India and the music reflects the history and beliefs of the people. Unfortunately, most people in the West only get to hear the more pop influenced Indian songs, as background music in curry houses. Other forms are worth exploring. Of all the Indian musical instruments invented, the Jal Tarang has to be the strangest. It's a series of rice bowls, each tuned according to the level of water they contain. It's not heard much these days, which is a pity. Perhaps U2 could make use of it on their next album?
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
Song compilations are very popular and are a necessary source of income for the record industry. Greatest Hits records have always been a regular feature in every genre. Nowadays, everyone can potentially compile their own best of CD by downloading favorite tracks from the Internet.
Some people criticize the industry for exploiting fans by putting out Greatest Hits albums. Sometimes, a label puts out a hits list from an artist who has only produced two albums. It's the case that some compilations have filler tracks, such as inferior outtakes and live versions. Many people in their 40s and 50s want to replace their old vinyl records with CDs and only want the well known tracks in their collection.
There are some artists whose fans want to own every track that they ever laid down. People passionate about a certain act want their collection to be complete and it's a question of owning the history of the artist as well as having the songs. They wouldn't dream of buying a best of record. Most people however like certain singers or bands but don't want to own everything. Greatest Hits are ideal in that situation. There is always debate amongst fans as to what songs should be selected for a best of album. This occurs when someone has had a very long career and not everyone will be pleased.
Established but defunct bands have greatly benefited from hits compilations. A prime example is The Beatles who still reach number one in the album charts with greatest hits, forty years after they formed. Elvis Presley is another artist who still enjoys good sales. A long running band, such as the Rolling Stones or U2 release compilations periodically, chronicling each phase of their career. Even classical composers are part of the compilation market, where the most commercially sounding pieces are selected.
As downloading music continues to increase, some people envisage it will dominate the market very soon. Perhaps, the hits compilation record will decrease in popularity. The item that may remain is the box set. These compilations are attractively packaged with all the hits and lesser known tracks too plus extras such as an informative booklet tracing the history of the artist and interviews etc. Those sets can't be replaced by the Internet. Some of them are expensive but they are priceless to a true fan and all the greatest hits are digitally re-mastered to give quality sound.
Song compilations are very popular and are a necessary source of income for the record industry. Greatest Hits records have always been a regular feature in every genre. Nowadays, everyone can potentially compile their own best of CD by downloading favorite tracks from the Internet.
Some people criticize the industry for exploiting fans by putting out Greatest Hits albums. Sometimes, a label puts out a hits list from an artist who has only produced two albums. It's the case that some compilations have filler tracks, such as inferior outtakes and live versions. Many people in their 40s and 50s want to replace their old vinyl records with CDs and only want the well known tracks in their collection.
There are some artists whose fans want to own every track that they ever laid down. People passionate about a certain act want their collection to be complete and it's a question of owning the history of the artist as well as having the songs. They wouldn't dream of buying a best of record. Most people however like certain singers or bands but don't want to own everything. Greatest Hits are ideal in that situation. There is always debate amongst fans as to what songs should be selected for a best of album. This occurs when someone has had a very long career and not everyone will be pleased.
Established but defunct bands have greatly benefited from hits compilations. A prime example is The Beatles who still reach number one in the album charts with greatest hits, forty years after they formed. Elvis Presley is another artist who still enjoys good sales. A long running band, such as the Rolling Stones or U2 release compilations periodically, chronicling each phase of their career. Even classical composers are part of the compilation market, where the most commercially sounding pieces are selected.
As downloading music continues to increase, some people envisage it will dominate the market very soon. Perhaps, the hits compilation record will decrease in popularity. The item that may remain is the box set. These compilations are attractively packaged with all the hits and lesser known tracks too plus extras such as an informative booklet tracing the history of the artist and interviews etc. Those sets can't be replaced by the Internet. Some of them are expensive but they are priceless to a true fan and all the greatest hits are digitally re-mastered to give quality sound.
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